Your school-ready guide, with a little help from 25,000 mums who've been there.
The excitement, the tiny uniforms, the school supplies list that somehow keeps getting longer. And then there's the big question... what do you actually need?
If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by all the lunch boxes, school bags and accessories to choose from, you're in the right place.
We've gathered practical tips from The Montii Crew, our community of 25K mums who've been there, done that and picked up plenty of handy tricks along the way.
Add a little MontiiCo know-how, and you've got everything you need to make getting school-ready that little bit easier.
From finding their perfect lunch box match to making those first school mornings run a little smoother, we're here to help!
Chances are, your school has already sent home a list of everything your little one needs.
But before you start filling your cart, there's one thing worth checking.
Some schools prefer everything packed in one lunch box. Others ask for separate containers for morning tea, lunch and fruit break.
Munch & Crunch?And if this is your first time hearing the words Munch & Crunch or Crunch & Sip, don't worry! You're definitely not alone.
These are dedicated snack breaks at some schools, usually for fruit or veggies. Depending on your school's routine, your child might need a separate little container they can easily grab and take into the classroom.
"Check with the school first on how many containers they want (ours wanted 2 - one for lunch and one for snack) then go from there!"Trace M. | The Montii Crew
Check your school's requirements first, then choose the lunch box setup that works best for your little eater.
Because there's no one-size-fits-all lunch box for Prep!
This is where things get fun!
Some kids love having everything in one place. Others prefer separate containers, smaller portions or lots of little bits to choose from.
And with different school routines to consider, finding the right lunch box isn't always as simple as picking your favourite colour.
So we've broken down our favourite setups to help you find the perfect match.
If your school prefers morning tea, lunch and snacks all packed together, the Feast is a great place to start.
With plenty of room to pack a full school day's food, you can keep everything together in one lunch box.
It's a great option for little ones who enjoy a bit of variety, or families who'd rather pack one box instead of juggling multiple containers.
And here's a little reminder from The Montii Crew. Just because there's room doesn't mean you need to fill every space!
"My 6year has been using the Feast all year & it’s a great size. I just don’t fill it to the brim."Danielle M. | The Montii Crew
Our tip: Start with portions you know your child is comfortable eating. You can always adjust as they settle into their new school routine.
Some schools prefer kids to have a separate container for morning tea and lunch.
Our pick? Pack their main lunch in the Bite and their morning tea in the Snack Box.
It keeps things simple, with a dedicated container for each break, so your little one knows exactly what to grab when the bell rings.
It's also a handy setup if your child prefers having their food separated into smaller portions.
Our tip: Practise identifying which container is for which break before school starts. It's one less thing for them to figure out on their first day!
If your school has a separate fruit and veggie break, having a small, easy-to-grab container can make things so much simpler.
Here are a few of our favourites.
A handy grab-and-go option for fruit and veggie favourites.
One of the things we love is that it fits neatly into the side pocket of compatible MontiiCo backpacks, so little ones can easily grab it and pop it in the classroom at the start of the day.
No digging through their entire school bag to find their fruit break!
A great little option for kids who like a couple of different snacks.
Think strawberries on one side, cucumber sticks on the other. Simple, familiar and easy to manage.
Got a little one who's more likely to eat their fruit when it's lovely and cold?
A Mini Food Jar could be just the thing for packing their favourite chilled fruit snacks, when prepared and used according to the product's instructions.
Just make sure they can confidently open and close it themselves before sending it off to school.
You know those kids who have approximately a million things they'd rather be doing than sitting down for lunch?
For little ones who prefer to graze, smaller portions and bite-sized pieces can feel much more manageable than one big meal.
The Bento Five lets you pack a variety of familiar favourites into smaller compartments, so they can work their way through lunch at their own pace.
A lunch box packed to the brim can feel a little overwhelming for some kids. Starting with manageable portions and familiar foods can help make lunchtime feel easier.
"My 6yo is a fussy eater and prefers the small spaces in the bento 5 or the bite lunchbox (with the trays in). She doesn’t like using the feast."Adriana R. | The Montii Crew
And that's exactly why we love hearing from our Crew! What works brilliantly for one child might not be the right fit for another.
Think about your child's appetite and eating style, not just their age or school year.
It's easy to get caught up in all those beautiful school lunch ideas.
But here's something The Montii Crew wants you to remember.
Starting school is a big adjustment. There are new friends to make, routines to learn and so many exciting things happening.
Lunchtime doesn't need to be another new experience.
If they love a cheese sandwich, pack the cheese sandwich!
Now isn't necessarily the time to introduce five new foods and hope for the best.
Some kids are big lunch eaters. Others would much rather be exploring the playground.
Smaller portions and easy-to-manage pieces can be a great starting point, especially for little ones who get distracted easily.
Letting your child choose between a couple of familiar snacks is a lovely way to get them involved.
It doesn't need to be complicated. Even choosing between strawberries and grapes can help them feel like they've had a say in their school lunch.
Don't panic! Some children take a little while to settle into eating at school. Between new routines, distractions and limited eating time, they might not eat quite the way they do at home.
Give them a little time, see what's coming home and chat with their teacher if you're concerned.
"Don't over complicate lunches, you know what your kids love and will eat."Tynelle L. | The Montii Crew
Okay, but will everything actually fit in their school bag?
Choosing their first school bag is exciting!
But before you fall in love with a colour, there's something worth thinking about.
Because once you add their lunch bag, drink bottle, hat, jumper, spare clothes, library books and home reader, that bag can fill up pretty quickly!
And there's one more thing to consider.
After all, you won't be there at the end of every school day to help squeeze everything back into their bag.
We've got two options to help you find the right fit for your little school starter.
A smaller option worth considering for little ones who don't need to carry quite as much.
Worth considering if your child needs extra packing room for everything that comes along with a busy school day.
The trick is finding the balance between a bag that's comfortable for your child to carry and one they can confidently pack themselves.
"A bigger bag is easier for children to get things in and out."Renèe E. | The Montii Crew
"I bought the smaller bag and I love it for my four year old but it doesn’t fit much. Such a bummer but I feel as though the next size will be too big for him to carry"Ri Z. | The Montii Crew
But we also know that a bigger bag isn't always the answer for every little school starter. Both are really valid considerations!
Before choosing, think about what your school requires your child to bring each day. And if you can, try packing everything inside and letting your little one test it out.
It's not just about whether everything fits. It's about whether they can get it all back in at the end of the day!
You've chosen their lunch box and school bag. What else might come in handy? Here's where we'd keep things simple.
You don't need to buy every possible accessory before the first day. Start with the essentials, then add the little extras that make sense for your family.
Choose a bottle your child can confidently open, close and drink from without needing help.
And don't forget to practise!
Keeping their lunch gear together makes it easy to grab when the bell rings.
Check that their chosen lunch box fits comfortably inside, with room for any extras they'll need.
A handy part of an insulated lunch setup, especially when packing foods that need to be kept cool.
Some families love having a spare ice pack ready to rotate through the week.
Drink bottles, lunch boxes, school bags, hats, jumpers. School gear has a funny way of finding its way into someone else's bag!
Label everything your school recommends, and help your little one recognise their own belongings.
Some families love having a second drink bottle or lunch box ready to go, especially when the usual one is still being washed.
But don't feel like you need two of everything!
"My biggest tip? Invest in a MontiiCo setup that works for your family, rather than feeling like you need every single product."Evette J. | The Montii Crew
Start with what you need, find your rhythm and add extras if they'll genuinely make your mornings easier.
Here's one of our favourite tips from The Montii Crew.
Yep, you read that right!
A few weeks before school starts, pack their lunch box just like you would for a normal school day.
Then spread out a picnic rug on the living-room floor and let your little one take charge.
It's a fun, low-pressure way to practise all those little things they'll be doing independently at school.
"Host a Living Room “Lunchbox Picnic”! Weeks before school starts, pack a full lunch and have a picnic on the living room floor."Adeline L. | The Montii Crew
"Whatever lunch box, bag or drink bottle you get for your child, make sure they can open it and close it themselves."Stacey B. | The Montii Crew
If something's a little tricky, no worries! You've got time to practise together before the big day.
We've included a handy "Can I do it myself?" activity in our downloadable Starting School Guide.
Starting school is a big milestone. For your little one, and for you!
And while there's plenty of practical preparation to think about, sometimes it's the tiniest things that make a big difference.
These little gestures can give your child something familiar to look at during a big school day.
And if they're not reading yet, a photo or picture can be just as special as a written note.
"I printed out some photos and laminated them and my kids pick one each day to go in their lunchbox."Robyn L. | The Montii Crew
One of the most popular little tips from The Montii Crew? Have a snack ready for pickup!
After a big day of learning, playing and making new friends, a familiar snack for the trip home can be a lifesaver.
It's tempting to ask a million questions the second they jump in the car.
Who did you play with? What did you learn? Did you eat your lunch? Did you make friends?
But some little ones need a bit of quiet time before they're ready to share.
"When they get in the car after school, don’t hound them with questions. Give them space to tell you in their own time"Leah A. | The Montii Crew
And remember, every child settles into school differently.
Give yourselves time to find your new routine. You don't need everything perfectly figured out from day one!
We've taken all those helpful conversations happening in The Montii Crew and brought them together in one handy downloadable guide.
It's packed with practical advice, real parent tips and little activities to help your family feel ready for the big day.
Whether you're a first-time school parent or just looking for a few fresh ideas, we've got you.
Starting school is a big milestone, but you don't have to figure it all out alone.
With a little preparation, a few handy tips and a whole Crew of mums cheering you on, you've got everything you need to get started.
And remember, there's no such thing as the perfect lunch box, the perfect school morning or the perfect first day.
It's all about finding what works for your little one and your family.
With love,
The MontiiCo Team & The Montii Crew
